The Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser

PENCADER. AtOlygydd Y JOURNAL. SYR,—Wedi i mi ddarllen yr amrywiol ysgrifau a ymddangosodd yn ddiweddar yn y JOURNAL, deallaf fod rhai o'ch gohebwyr yn Uawdrwm iawn ar ddiaconiaid eglwys Anni- bynol Pencader, ond yn fwyaf neillduol, fel y deallaf, ar yr hen ddiacon duwiolfrydig J-. Un oragorolion y gymmydogaeth yw efe o ran ei fuchedd a'i wybodaeth ysgrythyrol. Tebyg nad yw eich gohebwyr yn hysbys iawn o'r amgylchiad y cyfeiriant ato, onid e cyfeiriasent eu saetbau i gyfeiriad gwahanol. Fel y gallo darllenwyr y JOURNAL farnu drostynt eu hunain, pa un ai eich gohebwyr ai y diacon dan sylw sydd nesaf i'w lie, ymdrechaf, mor fyr ag y medraf, i ddarlunio yr helynt. Yn ddiweddar dyg- wyddodd amgylchiad gofidus yn yr ardal, pryd y tystiolaethodd dau o aelodau eglwys Annibynol Pencader yn hollol groes i'w gilydd; a chan fod y ddau yn parhau i lynu wrth yr hyn a ddywedasant, nid oes eisieu athronydd cyn cael allan fod un o honynt yn dweyd anwiredd; ac y mae Mr. J. yn tybied fod ganddo ddigon o dystiolaethau wrth Jaw i brofi pwy yw yr hwn sydd yn dweyd anwiredd. Gan fod yr hen ddiacon, drwy ystod ei oes hirfaith, wedi dwyn mawr sel dros eirwiredd, nes y gellir yn rhwydd ei restru fel un o gyffelyb ysbryd a'r prophwyd Dafydd pan ddywedai, Ni thrig o fewn fy nhy yr un a wnelo dwyll; ni thrig yn fy Bgolwg yr un a ddywedo gelwydd." Naturiol yw iddo beidio bod yn gyfranog a geneu celwyddog i fwyta o'r ordinhad sanctaidd. Addawodd yr eglwys edrych i mewn i'r helynt, ond nid yw eto wedi cyflawnu ei haddewid. Pa Ie bynag y mae yr eglwys a oddefo gel- wyddwyr, meddwon, a drwg weithredwyr i fod yn aelodau ynddi, anwiredd yw galw hono yn eglwys Dduw." Gobeithio y cymmer yr hen ddiacon parchus gysur, ac na bydd i'w galon lwfrhau, canys y mae yr hwn sydd yn dal y saith seren yn ei law ddeheu, yr hwn sydd yn rhodio yng nghanol y saith ganwyll- bren aur," yn ei ganmol am wneuthur o hono ei oreu i beidio goddef y rbai drwg.—Yr eiddoch, TALOGFAB.

LLANYBYTHER. At Olygydd Y JOURNAL. SYR,—Wedi cael seibiant am ychydig, crefaf am gyfran o'ch gofod, o herwydd ac am y rheswm fod cyfiawnder megis yn hawlio gwrandawiad. Testyn ein hysgrif y tro hwn eto pysgota," ond cofier nid yn anghyfreith- lawn, er nis gallaf, yn ddiammheu hefyd ryddhau y bardd a'r ysgrifenydd coeth D.O." oddi wrth rodio glanau yr afon, ie, a physgota hefyd yn wahanol i'r hyn a ganiateir trwy yr unrhyw drwydded yn yr oes bresennol, a hyny trwy ddefnyddio cyfryngau (mediums) am- mhriodol, pa rai ni fu, nid ydynt, ac ni fyddant chwaith yn ganiataol i bysgota yn y fath fodd. Gresyn meddwl fod D.O. ac yn neillduol "LIane a'r Ffon yn traethu eu lien ar bwnc ag y maent mor gynnefinol ag ef. Priodol fyddai gweled y ddau ohebwr a nedasom yn ymostwng yn isel gan wneyd apology i'r gyfraith, a dylasent ymlawenhau gan roddi diolchgarwch i fudanrwydd y ddeddf. Beth pe byddai y gyfraith yn medru cynanu ei barn mewn llais hyglyw am ei throseddu j beth fyddai tynged "D.O. a'r LIane a'r Ffon?" Atebed eu cydwybodau cnoedig. Fe fyddai yn 61 gwell i'r ddau frawd i gario eu meddyliau wedi eu selio i fyny a. dystawrwydd, na rhuthro i faes y newyddiadur mewn gwisgoedd defaid, ond oddi fewn bleiddiaid mewn perthynas a'r gyfraith, ond, gwir y geiriau ".Fools rush, where angels fear to tread." Hawdd genyf gredu, Mr. Gol., mai nid amcan D.O. yn y cychwyniad o ysgrifenu oedd argyhoeddi neb dynion, oddi gerth efe ei hunan a'r Llanc," o blegid y mae mor dywyll a'r pagan parthed i'w linellau cyntaf ar y pwnc. Nis gwyr pa beth a ysgrifenodd, neu ni fuasai byth yn hoffi cael gwybod genym yn ol pa ysgrif a feddyliem ? Atebaf, yn ol ysgrif anaddfed, ie, annheilwng ac ammhriodol D.O. Nid oes angen, frawd, i mi i daflu ail olwg dros eich ysgrif, ond yr wyf yn methu deall eto pa ham yr awgrymir am y maen-seiri yn fwy nag ereill sydd yn trigiannu ar lan yr afon 1 Nid yw eich safon gasglyddol, eu bod yn defnyddio calch i wneyd cymmrwd, yn un sail dros drwytho yr afonydd. Er profi hyn yna, carwn eich arwain i'r faelfa (shop). Nid yw yr hwn sydd yn gwerthu moddion yno at saethu grugieir a cheiliog y coed yn un sail na safon i gredu ei fod ef yn cario arf y rhyfel (gun) ar ei ysgwydd. Na, camgymmeriad mawr ydyw. Gan hyny, bwrw allan yn gyntaf y trawst o'th lygad dy hun. Ymffrostia ym mhellach y gall olrbain back dates" Araf, frawd. Beth pe byddem yn gweithredu arnat i ddangos y "back datesneu fyned i swyddfa Llan- ybyther 1 Fe fyddai yn llai rhyfeddod genyf i weled yr haul yn cael ei droi yn wreichionen, a'r Wyddfa, yn Pen y Gaer, neu Gwm Rhondda yn ddol wastad, na gweled dy fod di yn medru olrhain back dates." Gwel. fyddai i D.O, i ddweyd back date, er ni chym- merwn lawer am sicrhau ei fod yn feddiannol hyd yn oed ar un back date. Gallaf fyned Haw yn law gyda y rhai sydd ganddynt drwyddedau i'r swyddfa (ond nid swyddfa Llanybyther), a diammbeu y byddai ychydig gloffni ar D.O." i'm dilyn, o blegid ni fuasai y cysgod yn gwneyd y tro yn sylwedd. Mewn perthynas i'm gofyniadau, carwn weled gwell atebion gan lenor mor ymffrostgar. Barned darllenwyr lluosog y JOURNAL os yw wedi eu hateb. Beia ei symlrwydd, ond cotia bob amser i beidio diystyru y "pethau bychain." Os bydd D.O." mor garedig, carwn iddo i atolygu y ddau ofyniad cyntaf eto, er i ni gael y cyfryw yn rheolaidd. Y maent yn gydnaws a'r pwnc. Gan fod symledd yn perthyn iddynt, pa ham y decbreu gyda'r trydydd gofyniad, diraddio y cyntaf ar sail ei fod yn methu ateb yr ail ofyniad. Ac, ar ol eael atebion i'r gofyniadau sydd yn y JOURNAL am Mehefin y 6fed, profafyn fuddug- oliaethus fod "D.O." a'r "LIane a'r Ffon," yn rhoi sen pan yn rhwygo'r ddeddf eu hunain ac fel rheol y rhai mwyaf condemniedig, y rhai hyny sydd barotaf i geryddu. Terfynaf rhag myned a gormod o ofod y tro hwn, yng ngeiriau Tennyson, He that wrongs his friend, wrongs himself more." WILLIAMS (MERTHYR).

At Olygydd Y JOURNAL. SYR,—Dymunaf arnoch ganiatau i mi ycbydig o'ch gofod y waeth hon eto er ateb nodiadau eich gohebwyr, D.O." a Llanc a'r Ffon," pa rai a dystiant bod eu dywediadau blaenorol yn wir. Buddiol oedd i D.O." ymffurfio barn arnaf, yn hytrdch na rhoddi y maes i fyny, pan yn dywedyd y byddai yn well i mi beidio ymsangu ychwaneg ar y budreddu. Dywedir bod Duw yn gwlawio ar y cytiawn fel yr anghyfiawa;" ac ar y telerau hyny y gosodais fy hun yn un o wrth- ddrychau ei sarhad, ac nid trwy euogrwydd, fel y dysgrifia efe fy mod. Cyfaddefa ar g'oedd gwlad iddo lawer gwaith ddinoethi ei freic.iiau, ac arfer tlynen i bysgota heb drwydded, pan yn direidi." Hyderaf y bydd efe behach mor gydwybodol a pheidio ymhelaethu ar derfynau ei drwydded, a I pheidied ystyried eihun yn gyffelyb yn olynol, os codir ei phris. Diammheu nad oedd trwyddcd ganddo yn flaenorol, onid e buasai wedi cyhoeddi y drygedd yng nghynt. Hefyd, amlwg yw ei fod yn hoff o'r dyfroedd, ac yn bysgotwr mawr, cyn y gallasai ganfod effaith y gwenwyn dinystriol mewn gwahanol gornentydd eleni eto a chyn y meddiannwyd ef gan anfoddlonrwydd ac eiddigedd— achosion ei ysgrif gyntefig; felly naturiol oedd iddo osod y drwg allan yn y lliw gwaethaf ac i eithafion. Cyn rhoddi y gorchwyl i fyny, bwriadaf ychydig nodiadau i Llanc a'r Ffon," yr hwn trwy gynnorthwyo ei frawd lenor "D.O." i bardduo nodweddiad yr ardal, sydd yn dyfnbau ein syndod. Y mae yn eglur bod y pelenau a roddwyd i D.O." wedi effeithio ar ei gorff yntau, gan beri mawr wewyr, cyn y byddai yn selio y dywediadau eithatol a chyntetig; ond nid rhyfedd iddo ef ddyfod i'r maes i gyhoeddi drygedd y personau mor awdurdodol ac eofn, yng ngwyneb gwlad, canys y mae ef dan iau drom eisoes trwy gael ei ddirwyo am bysgota yn anghyfreithlawn. Gresyn iddo fod feI ei gydlenor H D.O." mor anhyddysg, a bod yn eiddo i'r llythyren fachog V, fel ac y mae wedi aralygu ei hun trwy ei ffugenw adnabyddus,—yn achos o syndod, ac yn wrthddrych cywilydd i'w gymmydogion. Bydded hysbys iddo i mi gydsynio a D.O." i raddau helaeth, ond nis gellir priodoli y drygedd i'r maenseiri yn gyfan gwbl, nad bydd yr anffawd yn cythryblu eu meddyliau, nac yn deffro eu cydwybodau chwaith. Tystiolaetba efe fod y pysg i'w canfod with y cannoedd yn gelaneddan yn drygsawru y dwfr; felly naturiol i'w credu bod effaith bwriadau y ddau droseddwr y sonia am danynt yn gyffelyb; a pha fodd y canfyddir bod yr holl bysg i'w cael yn y cornentydd bychain hyn. Priodol i'w credu bod gwyrthiau o heigiad wedi eu cyflawnu yn gyntaf; ac onis cymmerodd hyny Ie, daliaf yn ammheuol tra dalio'r dydd nad oedd yr effaith mor eithafol a hynyna. Nid ydyw ein cornentydd ond rhai bychain, ac y maent er ys amser gan argaeau wedi eu rhwystro i lifo trwy eu gwelyau cyn eu harllwysiad i Dei6, mewn modd nas gall pysg ymnotio i fyny, a pha fodd y gellir credu desgritiad D.O." am danynt 1 Hefyd, y mae gormod o bysgotwyr o'u cyffelyb hwy yn rhy ami ar eu glennydd, fel nas bydd ond ychydig i'w aberthu gan galch.—Yr eiddoch, DIDYMUS.

CYMMANFA Y PLANT YN FELINDRE. At Olygydd Y JOURNAL. SYR,—Yn ei anerchiad yn yr wyl uchod, gofynodd y Parch. J. Williams Llangeler, i'r rbal fu yn beio yr offeiriaid yn y newydd- iaduron, i roddi diolchgarwch iddynt yn awr am gael y fath gyfarfod llewyrchus. Yr wyf gyda'r parodrwydd a'r pleser mwyaf yn cyflwyno diolchgarwch gwresocaf i Mr. Williams a'i frodyram ail-sefydlu y gymmanfa. Dymunaf hefyd ddiolch i'r gwahanol arwein- yddion y gan, y rhai fu yn Uafurio mor egniol i addysgu y plant, ac yn neillduol felly i Mr Rees am ei lafur yn arwain y diwrnod hwnw. Wedi cyflawnu y gorchwyl pleserus o roddi diolchgarwch, y mae genyf innau gais i ofyn i Mr Williams. Yr wyf am i chwi, Syr, fyned gam ym mhellach, trwy alw cynnadledd yng nghyd i gymmeryd i ystyriaeth gyflwr yr Eglwys yn yr ardal hon, a'r modd goreu i'w diwygio. Er mwyn cael cynnorthwy a chyd- ymdeimlad y lleygwyr, bydd yn ofynol gwahodd y gwahanol Eglwysi i ethol rhyw hanner dwsin o bob Eglwys i'w cynnrychioli yn y gynnadledd. Mae llawer o'r offeiriaid yn anwybodus o sefyllfa yr Ysgol Sul, nid o herwydd un diffyg ar eu rhan, ond o herwydd amgylchiadau. Cymmerwn Mr Williams fel enghraifft ar amser yr ysgol yn Llangeler, bydd ef yn gwasanaethu yng nghapel Mair, ac yn Llangeler ar amser yr ysgol yng nghapel Mair gwelir felly fod yn ammhosibl iddo fod yn brofiadol o gyflwr yr ysgolion. Yr un peth ellir ddweyd am rai ereill. Byddai yn gyn- northwy neillduol i'r offeiriaid i gael gwybod teimlad yr ysgolion trwy eneu eu cynnrych- iolwyr. Gan nad yw bob lleygwr yn feistr ar ei amser, byddai yn ofynol cynnal y gynnad- ledd am saith neu hanner awr wedi saith yn yr hwyr mewn rhyw fan canolog, megys Henllan neu ysgoldy Aberbanc. Y swydd- ogion, llywydd, ysgrifenydd a thrysorydd i'w ethol bob blwyddyn, a phob Eglwys i gyfranu swm neillduol at y treuliau. Rhestr o enwau y cynnrychiolwyr i fod ym meddiant arolygwr bob ysgol, fel y gall unrhyw bwyllgor alw y gynnadledd yng nghyd pan y bydd achos yn gofyn am hyny. Un pwnc i'w ystyried fyddai y priodoldeb o sefydlu dwy neu dair o gymmanfaoedd ysgolion (heb law cymmanfa y plant), megys NadoHg. Gwener y Groglith, a Llungwyn. Yn ail, yr wyl gorawl yng Nghastell-newydd-Emlyn y flwyddyn nesaf. Mae llawer yn meddwl nad yw hon yn ateb yr un pwrpas. Gellid ystyried hyn. Ereill a feddyliant fod yr amser o'r flwydiyn y cynnelir yr wyl yn hollol anghyfleus, am fod pawb yn rhy brysur gyda'i goruchwylion i fynychu y cyfarfodydd canu, ac am fod yr wyl yn ami iawn yn dygwydd ar yr amser mwyaf prysur o'r flwyddyn, sef y cyneuaf. Onid yr anhaws- der o gael yr aelodau yng nghyd yn ystod yr wythnos yw yr achos fod y gwasanaeth hwyrol yn rhai o'r Eglwysi yn cael eu dropio ? Mae yr hen bobl, a'r rhai hyny nad ydynt yn gantorion, yn achwyn yn enbyd am hyn. Beth yw profiad Mr S. Jones, yr arweinydd, yng nghylch yr anhawsder o gael y cantorion i'r ysgol gan ar nosweithiau gwaith 1 Yr wyf wedi ymdrechu (ond yn ammherffaith iawn) rhoddi braslun o'r hyn yr wyf fi a llawer ereill yn gredu a fyddai yn fanteisiol a llesol i'r Eglwys. Gobeithio y cymmer rhywun mwy galluog at y gwaith o'i berffeithio.—Yr eiddoch, US ACIIWYNWYR.

ESGOB NEWYDD ABERTAWE. Mae ei Mawrhydi y Frenines wedi cadarn- hau penodiad y Parch J. Lloyd, Ficer Caerfyrddin, i fod yn Esgob Abertawe, neu fel cynnorthwywr i Dr. Basil Jones yn esgob- aeth Ty Ddewi. Deallwn hefyd fod yr Esgob newydd wedi ei appwyntio yn Ganon yn lie y diweddar Ganon Williams, o Lanelli.

Yn ystod y mis diweddaf, ymunodd dau o weinidogion yr Annibynwyr a'r Eglwys. Deallwn fod Radicaliaid yn Rhanbarth Ddwyreiniol sir Gaerfyrddin wedi blino ar Mr David Pugh, eu haelod seneddol, ac maent wedi dewis Mr. Gwilym Evans, o Lanelli, fel eu cynnryehiolydd yn yr -etholiad nesaf. On Saturday the members of tb.e SQuth Wales and Monmouthship. Collieries Association decided to five the men notiee for the termination of the slidmg-scale agreement. A remarkable breach of promise case will shortly occnpy a judge and London special jury. The plaintiff, whose grandfather is a baronet and whos.e uncle is an admira), seeks to recover £ 25,000 damages from the defendant, a gentleniap of some means and of mature age, and part proprjefcor of a matrimonial newspaper. David Beekman, a Mormon elder, who has recently been attempting to convert some of the female population at Warrenton, Georgia, has been tarred and feathered, made to ride the rail," and was afterwards driven out of the State. A demonstration, in which some 70.000 miners and their wives and friends took part, was held at Southport on Saturday, and a resolution was j passed in favour of the Eight hours Bill and con- demning mining royalties.

MISCELLANEOUS. THE BI-CENTENARY OF THE PIPE. And so the good people of Leipsig are about to celebrate in public rejoicings the bi-centenary of the pipe. But why its bi-centenary? Surely its use is of much older date than 1690. Pipes were found along before that date in ancient tombs and old lacustral strongholds. There are even pre- historic pipes, a curious specimen of which can be seen at the Campana Museum. Our remote ancestors, it is true, did not smoke tobacco, but they smoked a preparation of hemp, dried sage, and chestnut leaves. Surmounting the capital of a pillar in an old Roman church near Elboeuf in Nor- mr.ndy, which dates from the twelfth century, there is a sculptured figure of a man smoking a pipe. This quaint figure, in attitude, really not unlike a Normandy peasant of to-day, smoking the pipe of peace at his cottage door, has been the subject of grave polemical discussion between archeologi&ts, provoked by M. Paul Eudel, the well known anti- quarian. It has been definitely settled, that this interesting figure, from tbepertinenthistorical point of view, dates from the time of the building of the church and therefore it is pretty certain that as early as the twelfth century there were people, at all events in Normandy, who took a delight in having a tube between their lips and inhaling smoke. We all know that when Christopher Columbus discovered America, the pipe was highly praiaed by its un- civilised inhabitants. There was not a single Indian tribe which did not smoke the pipe of peace. There are also to be found in private collections curious specimens of elaborately carved pipes, which date from the time of the conquest of Mexico. Some of these were considered as holy emblems, being covered with religious inscriptions and drawings. M. Ide Watteville, an ex.direotor of public instruction in France, who has formed a highly curious and interesting collection of pipes of all periods, picked up on one occasion in a country carpenter's shop, a pipe of Aztec origin, made of wood, dating from the time of Montezuma, and delicately carved to represent the combats of Mexican idols. As it bears no resemblance what- ever in its curves, either of bowl or stem, to the pipes now in use, this country carpenter had mis- taken it for the arm of an old chair. As a rule the bowls of ancient pipes are very small, as are those of Japanese pipes, which date from a period long anterior to the seventeenth century. An explorer lately brought from the interior of Guiana the bowl of a pipe of uncommon size and singular shape. It is perforated with many holes, and being filled with aromatic herbs, the members of indigenous tribes were in the habit of inserting long tubes in these boles and smoking together in common. In the Caucasus, pipes with two bowls have been found which date from the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, as is sufficiently proved by the figures rudely carved on a flat surface of these bowls, which are square-shaped. We are not aware of any record which proves the use of the pipe in England previous to the legendary story which tells of the maid servant, who, coming suddenly on Sir Walter Raleigh smoking a pipe, and believing he was on fire, emptied a pail of water over him but history has shown that the eccentric French admiral Jean Bard was in the habit of smoking his pipe in the passages of the chateau of Versailles, long before 1690 and that, during the reign of Catherine de Medicis, there were already inveterate smokers of l'herbe de la reine imported into Europe by Jean Nicot towards the end of the sixteenth century. A. TRAVELLING JACKDAW. The Piccadilly goat has a rival, and it may be of interest to some of our readers to learn who it is. This candidate for notoriety is the travelling jackdaw who rides on top of the omnibus from West Kilburn to Charing-cross. Jack," as he is called by his friends, is not as regular as he might be in his morning journeys, but will only travel by a particular 'bus, which he hops on to as it leaves the yard for its first journey, travels to Charing-cross and back to the yard, where Jack can be seen the remainder of the day. As the driver remarked, ee's not particular as to a seat, but prefers to 'op under 'em." Poor Jack was kid- napped the other day off the 'bus and, to think of it! sold for ninepence to a bird-dealer, but the foreman of the yard fortunately found him in exile, paid his ransom, and Jack took his ride to Charing. cross. THE SAVAGE MASHER. Lord Onslow, the Governor of New Zealand, has been meeting Rewi, the sole survivor of the great fighting Maori chiefs, and perhaps the bravest of them all. He (the ex-Maori warrior chief) and the Queen's representative shook hands and exchanged flowery compliments. But all the romance has been taken out of Rewi by the tailor. Fancy the almost naked, fanatical and heroic Maori chief, who delivered that dramatic defiance in the face of the British troops advancing to meet Lord Onslow, in the dress thus described by the special reporter Dark trousers, light dress coat, and polished bell- topper." A TALL SCHOOL GIRL. The town of Riedau (Austria) can boast of numbering among its inhabitants the tallest child in the world, in the person of a girl, 11 years of age, whose height is 6ft. 7 in. The parents of this young giantess have received several tempting offers from managers and showmen, but the father and mother prefer to treat their daughter as if she were of ordinary size, and send her to school with other children. THE LATEST QUEEN OVER REPTILES. Londoners have made acquaintance with several snake-charmers, good, bad, and indifferent, recently, but a lady whose show eclipses all others of the kind for grace and daring is now to be seen at the Aquarium-^Mdlle. Paula. Clad from top to toe in tight-fitting green, with golden tresses that reach below her waist, the latest subjugator of reptiles gives an entertainment with snakes and caymans- or alligators—both on the stage and in a tank, which is a< conspicuous for its novelty as for its nerve. The deadly attentions of a python, or the playful snap of a cayman's jaws, are no laughing matter; but so completely has Afdlle, Paula learned to control her strange subjects thq,t all unpleasant feelings are lost sight of as her pro- gramme unfolds itself. She goes through all the customary feats with the serpents, and, aided partly by a flimsy kerchief, works her will with the more formidable monsters without the slightest hesitation or dismay. Her husband is Captain Swann, of Manchester, whose reptile entertainments were well known a few years ago the late Frank Buckland, who was his friend, wrote a long article about them in 1876. Latterly Captain Swann has had the misfortune to lose his sight, and the constant watchfulness of his wife is one of the chiof joys of his existence. "It was in Munich, six or seven years ago, that I first met Madame," said the captain, speaking for his wife, who has not obtained the mastery over our language which she has over her reptiles. "I was giving my performance there, and she used to be horrified at seeing me handle the snakes and alligators before going on the stage-would never dream of going near one. She plucked up courage at last, however, rapidly became more daring, and now can do what you have seen. She has appeared with the greatest success in all parts of the world. What is the secret of the display ? Well, the great thing is nerve—nerve, and knowledge of the habits of the animals. it is necessary to know exactly how to catch hold of them, and to catch hold accordingly at the exact moment. The boa, for instance^ is allowed to twine itself as it will, to a certain extent; but its movements have to be checked at a given instant, or Madame would be crushed in a minute or two." Whence do you get the alligators ? "They all come from the Mississippi, the largest about 7 ft. long, is between eighty and ninety years old-we tell the age by the number of rings on the tail—another is thirty-five years, and a third twenty. They are vicious brutes, I can tell you, and want very smart handling. The perform- ance in the water is more dangerous than that on, the stage, because out of the tank it is easier to give the slip to a snake or alligator showing fight." Supposing anything happened to your reptiles, what would you do about a fresh supply ? Mr Bartlett, of the Zoological Gardens, kindly takes charge of my reserves but one of the great principles of the performance is that we can pro- cure reptiles from any one who has them, and still give the show immediately. It is not a question of training them at all—it is purely the knowledge precisely how to handle them that does the I business. A point requiring attention is to keep them warm. Here they are kept at a comfortable ) heat of 75 deg., which always ensures their being lively, and the water in the tank is also about that temperature." How does Madame contrive to stay so long under water ? Before allowing her head to sink beneath the surface she exhales, and then inhales deeply. By this means she has managed to stay under as long as three minutes. Of course, that means the possession of strong lungs." And any feeling of fear-- ? Must not be allowed to appear for a second," interrupted Captain Swann, with decision, "or the charm would be broken. Of course Madame occasionally gets slightly bitten "—the lady held out her hand, which bore the marks of some nasty ùites-U but nothing serious can happen so long as she keeps cool." And with congratulations on the success of a unique display, the chat came to an end. A PUGNACIOUS INSECT. The infantidw (two specimens of which have just been added to the Insect House in the Zoological Gardens) are noticeable not only for their structural peculiarities, but also for the fact that they are living and walking exponents of the truth that the world is governed by appearances, as from very ancient times wherever they are found-that is, throughout the warmer regious of the world- they have been credited with piety, meekness, and all good qualities, whereas in truth they are the most blood-thirsty creatures imaginable. This extremely mistaken estimate of their character has arisen from the fact that, especially as they move slowly about, the thorax is raised at an angle to the body, and the large raptorial legs are carried extended and raised—thus fancifully imitating, or rather caricaturing, the position of a person whose hands are clasped in prayer. In many parts of the world they are still regarded with superstitious rcverence, and extraordinary stories are told of them-for example, they are believed to be able to indicate coming events, whence their names of soothsayers or prophets," and in the South of Europe the praying mantis is supposed to direct any lost wayfarer, especially a child, into the right way. Another legend is to the effect that St. Francis Xavier, on seeing a mantis moving slowly along with its fore legs raised as if in devotion, desired it to sing the praises of God, which it immediately did in a very beautiful canticle." Again, we are told that among the Hottentots "the individual upon whom one happens to alight is supposed to have a peculiar degree of sanctity imparted to him, and to be a special favourite of heaven." At this reverence is sorely misplaced, the whole of the creatures' life being spent in murder and rapine; for being fierce, cruel, gormandizing wretches, so far from indulging, as has been fondly supposed, in a state of religious abstraction, they are continually seeking what they may devour," and the very position which has given them a reputation for sanctity is only assumed to enable them the more readily to seize any unfortunate insect that may come within their reach and they are by no means particular what that insect may be, as they will with the greatest readiness seize and devour one of their own specie;, particularly if smaller and weaker than themselves. It is, therefore, not surprising that they are most pugnacious, and indulge in the fiercest encounters on the least possible provocation-or, indeed, with- out any apparent provocation at all-when" their manoeuvres very much resemble those of hussars fighting with sabres, and sometimes one cleaves the other through l't a single stroke, or severs the head from the body. During these engagements the wings are generally expanded, and when the battle is over the conqueror devours his antagonist." The performance is curious and amusing, the peculiar shape and carriage of the insects giving them the appearance of dancing with one another. In China and the East we are told that they are fought, like game cocks, for wagers. The following extract from the work of an American authority says much for their power of endurance —"We have seen a female decapitated, and with her body partly eater., slip away from another that was devouring her, and for over an hour afterwards fight as tenaciously and with as much nonchalance as though nothing bad happened." It is. perhaps, needless to say, the character of the Mantidee being such as it i8, that the two specimens at the Zoo are not confined in the same case, as were they placed together the Society would in all probability very shortly possess but one only. SARAH BERNHARDT'S LEG. A Report having recently been circulated that Mdrne. Sarah Bernhardt was likely to have to lose a leg by amputation, an American showman is re- ported to have proved himself brilliantly equal to the occasion. The enterprising impresario at once offered to buy, embalm, and exhibit the limb, with a handsome share in the profits for the original owner. Here would have been a splendid chance for the grand but eccentric artist to live up to her reputation for eccentricity by accepting the offer and goivg to admire her own leg on her next visit to the States. A NEW HEALER. At the Hotel Victoria, a complimentary luncheon* was given to Mr Hartley, better known as Sequah." Mr Hartley is a Canadian, who has purchased a group of mineral-water springs in the United States, which enjoy a high reputation for the cure of rhuematism and eome associated complaints. He states that he has succeeded in concentrating these mineral waters, and, after mixing them with some vegetable extracts which are favourite remedies with the Indians of the West, he calls the resultant compound Prairie Flower." For two years or more Sequah has been travelling throqgh the provinces, where he has been the centre of some remarkable scenes. He seems to be always sure of an attentive audience. EMBALMED, The bodies of three men who lost their lives in the Anaconda mine in November last, have just been recovered. The bodies were perfectly preserved and lifelike, owing to the copper acid water in which they were submerged. This acid ate into the iron tools and bolts found in the mine, but preserved the bodies of the dead miners, THE ACTRESS'S BET WITH THE PRINCE. Fraulem Ilka Palmay, the famous soubrette o! the An der Wien Theatre, a handsome blonde woman, whose features are familiar to trader and noble alike in the Austrian capitaJ, has won a large sum of money and a breakfast from Prince Pransvon Lichtenstein in a most amusing manner. The Prince was chaffing her the other night, and told her that she could never disguise her identity from the Viennese. She at once exclaimed that she was willing to make a wager that she would sell vegetables for a whole morning in one of the public markets without being recognized, although she would not put on any disguise beyond the ordinary attire of a small farmer's wife. The Prince accepted the bet, but was so certain that the actress would lose that he insisted on laying her a thousand florins against a pair of riding boots. The bet was duly decided on Friday morning. Shortly after 2. A.M. Fraulein Palmay appeared behind a stall in the "Am Hof market loaded with all sorts of green stuff and spring vegetables. She was attired in a calico skirt, woollen shawl, and wore wooden shoes. Until the sun was high in the heavans she did a roaring trade, making the best of bargains, and returning the chaff of the market men without anybody suspecting that she was other than what she pretended to be. Finally, the Prince, and two of his companions, who were lounging round disguised as peasants, declared himself satisfied, and to the astonishment of the rest of the market the stranger greenswoman and the three men jumped into a splendid carriage and drove away. "AN OUTRAGE ON RELIGION." A boycotting prosecution of a very remarkable character concluded last week, at Fermoy. Eight Roman Catholics were tried for criminal conspiracy to prevent twelve other Roman Catholics from receiving the benefit of Mass because they worked for a Northern Protestant who took an evicted farm in the county Cork. The conduct of the defendants and of the whole congregation of the Coolagoun Chapel was shown to be one of the most outrageous character. The magistrates, in giving their decision, said the conduct of the congregation was an outrage on religion. Had not the things been proved, no one would have believed that such sacrilegious tyranny was possible in any Christian land. The chief ringleader, named Kent, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour, two others to two months' each, and others were bound over to keep the peace. The case against two of the defendants was dismissed. AN EXCITING ADVENTURE IN THE MERSEY. An extraordinary incident which occurred in the channel of the Mersey the other evening has been the source of much conversation in shipping and athletic circles there. A number of gentlemen went ont in a tugboat for the purpose of tosting a new life-saving apparatus. The apparatus in question, which is very ingenious and practical in its nature is intended to save life in case of a ship- wreck at sea. Broadly speaking, it consists of a sort of lifebuoy with a light attached to it. The light is intended to indicate the spot where the person floating attached to the buoy is, so as to enable a boat or vessel to steer to the place for his rescue. In order to test the apparatus, a well- known local swimmer, a perfect master of the art, was taken with the party. They went down the channel, and when night came on the light was attached to the buoy, and the swimmer, along with it, were let into the water. The tide was running strong at the time, and the swimmer was soon ctrried rapidly from the steamer. By some mis- chance the light had become extinguished, and thosq in tbesteamer were unable toseewherethe man in the water was. They cruised about for nearly an hour shou ting and trying to find his locality. Things were becoming serious, and the swimmer was about to divest himself of some of the apparel which he had on for the purpose of swimming to the nearest land, when, fortunately, those on board the steamer discovered his whereabouts, and he was got on board the steamer discovered his whereabouts, and he was got on board the vessel all right, somewhat amused, but not at all alarmed, at the exciting experiment in life-saving with which he had been associated. STORIES OF ABSENT-MINDED MEN. The Count de Brancas was one day reading by the fire in his study, when the nurse brought a child newly-born to him. The Count threw away the book and took the child on his knee to play with it. By-and-by a visitor was announced, and the Count forgetting all about the child, and remembering only that he nad been reading a book, threw the poor infant on to the table. What a mercy he didn't throw it into the fire! It is recorded of La. Fontaine, noted for his absent- inindeduess, that he once attended a funeral of one of his most intimate friends, and shortly afterwards called to visit that friend. When reminded by the astonished servant of the recent death, he was at first terribly shocked, and then remarked True; of course; I remember now I went to his funeral." Professor Zweibeer, of a certain German University, is a very absent-minded man. He was busily engaged in solving some scientific problem. The servant hastily opened the door of his study and announced a great family event. A little stranger has arrived." "Eh?" It is a little boy." Little boy. Well, ask bim what he wants." BEETHOVEN'S EAR TRUMPETS. An interesting relic of Beethoven has just been presented by the Emperor of Germany to the "Beethoven House" at Bonn the four ear- trumpets which were made by the Court instrument maker Maelzel for the great master in the year 1814. The one-trumpets, which are made of brass, are of a., extraordinary shape; two of them being of unusual length, about 80 cintimetres long. They still possess the identical silk ribbons which Beethoven used to fasten them on with. From America:— Is your brother still pursuing the law ? He was, till last spring." "And now ?" "The law is pursuing him."

FARM AND GARDEN. ENSILAGE EXPERIMENTS. There is still in a good many quarters a pretty strong prejudice against the use of silage for stock. Nevertheless the system is gaining ground, and there is every reason to believe that there is a bright future before it. In such seasons as we experienced two years ago, when it was almost a] impossible to preserve the grass crop in the form of hay, the system of preserving it in the press is surely a great advantage to the farmer. It affords a double chance of securing the use of the crop, and the stock seem to relish the one class of food as much as the other. If farmers do not think well of the system as a regular plan of saving the hay crop, they should, at least, rejoice at its existence; for it may often be found very convenient to fall back upon when the fight against the weather in making hay seems utterly hopeless. As a feeding article silage is undoubtedly of con- siderable value. Some recent experiments in Germany have further demonstrated the value of silage in this direction. The most important, perhaps, are those by Consul Bivckman, who, at the session of the Land -virth.-cli-,trtlicben Associa- tion in Bartenstein. East Prussia, gave in much detail the result of his experience. The silage, or pressed food, which be prepared consisted of hay of the second crop, mustard, red clover, vetch, seradella, and lupines. He con- Fidered that the failures weich attended the making of silage were due generally to want of care in making and preasing the stacks; Though he does not go so far as to say, like some silage makers, that it is immaterial how wet the herbage is, he cautions farmers against stacking it too dry, in which case it should b3 watered. After the silage had been in the stock four or five months it was examined, and it was found to contain acids in the following proportions j—The pressed hay, 1.07 per cent,; olover, .36 per cent. vetch, 1.29 per cent.; seradella and lupines, 1.34 per cent.; and mustard, 1.02 per cent. The temperature of the clover stack—the crop having |been oboked with weeds rose to 176 degrees Fahrenheit, but all the other stacks did not exceed 161 degrees. SHOEING YOUNG HOKSES. Horses should certainly not be shod until taken into work, and even then they may be used on good roads without shoes, while doing all that ought to be asked of the newly-broken animal. There is a rejudice against working without shoes, but at easy labour on 'land, or in gccd roads, it is perfectly possible, and it is a distinct advantage. For heavy labour, under certain circumstanccs, says the veterinary editor of the Farmer and Stock. Breeder in reply to a query, shoes are a necessity, but if accustomed to it from colthood there are few cases where Chailier tips will not suffice. Then the heels are not confined, as with the rigidly nailed shoe; the frog is allowed to come to the ground and perform the functions nature intended; and most of the lamenesses (and they are many) incidental to shoeing, and especially bad shoeing, are avoided. Shoeing it is also considered to improve the appearance of the feet, and in conjunction with the shoeing the knife would be freely used. Neither of these, however, can do the feet any good, but that is very much on a par with the show system generally, and there are not wanting those who think that there are many ways in which shoes are ruinous to the animals constantly exhibited. The colt's feet should be frequently examined, and the wall may be rasped down, but the knife should never be used in the sole or frog. Shoeing can hardly be said to prevent the growth of the feet, since growth is from the coronet, and the feet thus increase in length because there is no compen- sating wear. Moreover, the foot will spread over the shoe, as you may see if you pick up ai fackt oia which the shoes have been on a long time, the heel of the shoe being sometimes found pressing on the seat of corns, and causing them. There is certainly no need to shoe a colt before he is brought into work, and it cannot but injure the feet to do so. Pressed food, Consul Brockman is of opinion, made from the after crops was very much like meadow grass, with a little more fatty substance in it; vetches also grow more fat, they having been gathered when in pod. The pressed clover was very much like clover bay. The large proportion of ash in the mustard was due to its having been much sanded by heavy rains, and the clover was also sanded through lying in the fields for a fort- night. « Another experimenter is Mr Hanish, who at Falkenburg, Silesia, put up several stacks. The first contained mustard, grass, and stumble clover the second, stumble clover and rape and a third, rape, carrot tops, and maize. He found the cattle liked the food and were healthy, and th* yield of mild was increased without any injurious effect on its flavour.

REVIEW OF THE BRITISH CORN TRADE. The rise in the night temperature has been the most important note of the week, meteorologically speaking, and the warm days, not wholly without showers, have been the second characteristic. Both these features have been highly favourable to farming, for the hay crop has been increased in bulk, and the wheat crops have been enabled to start making up that leeway which we spoke of last week. There has been a good deal of summer lightning, and other signs of electric influences being strong have been recorded or observed. Abroad, as well as in England, the heat has appreciably increased. The trade in English wheat has been slow, and millers pick over samples very leisurely. The London average is 33s. 4d. per qr. on 1,369 qrs., against 34s. 6d. on 2,509 qrs. last week. Thus there is a shrinkage of the total amount of business done, which is independent of the decline in price. Few country markets show Is. 2d. reaction, but then London had been exceptionally high for English wheat, and there consequently existed a greater margin for abatement. The average .1 decline at the chief local markets is about 6d. on the week, and even this is not universal. Best fresh-threshed wheat at Lincoln on Friday was 6d. dearer from scarcity, and at Chelmsford Essex farmers would admit no decline. The imperial average for the week ending June 21st, 1890, was 32s. 9d. per qr. on 44,229 qrs., as compared with 32s. 8d. per qr. on 57,337 qrs. in the week preceding. The flour trade has witnessed a decline of 6d. per sack at Mark Lane, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. The trade in foreign wheat has been depressed, owing to the excess of imports over current requirements. The price of red winter wheat shows but lAd. decline on the week. There is only a small quantity of this sort on offer. Indian and Russian wheat, must be quoted quite 6d. per qr. lower from a week ago. The total quantity of Indian wheat now on passage to all ports is 305,000 qrs as cempared with 238,000 qrs. a year ago. The large shipments of wheat from Russia continue to be a feature of the season. The good promise of the growing crops in Russia favours and encourages the shipment of the old wheat reserves, and the limitation of stocks to a very narrow compass. Spring corn has not sold well during the past week, the rich growth of the pastures and the warmer weather being against the trade in all feeding stuffs. Maize has fallen 3d. for ronud corn, but is not quotably cheaper for American. The London price for mixed maize opened at 17s. 6d., and closed at 17s. 3d. per qr. At Liverpool 3s. 6d. per cental quoted on Tuesday was again obtained on Friday. The trade in barley shows fourteen markets out of fifteen in buyers' favour, and among these have been Hull and Exeter, where 3d. decline has been admitted, and London and Bristol, where 6d. reduction has been allowed. O.\ts are still Is. dearer than at this time last year, but there has been a slight decline within the past few days. Russian Baltic shipments are increasing, but against the effect of this intelligence has to be set the news of serious damage to the growing oat crop in Scandinavia. Peas have been held in London for 6d. advance, but the country markets have been weak. Beans and lentils in London have been an exceedingly quiet trade. The price of linseed has given way Od. on the week, and there is singularly little enquiry for rapeseed. Linseed oil has receded 2s. 6d. per ton on the week, but rape oil at the decline allowed a week ago has been steady.—Mark Lane Express.

MARKET S. CORN. CARDIFF, Saturday.—(From the Report of Messrs. James Tucker, Limited).—There was a slow trade for wheat at our market to-day, at barley last week's prices. Grinding barley was rather cheaper. Maize was steadier at the recent decline. Oats were quiet. Beans were unchanged in valne. GLOUCESTER, Saturday.-(From Messrs. W. C. Lucy and Co's., Circular)—With a very thin attendance there was hardly any English wheat on offer at our market to-day, but prices were the same as last week. Foreign wheat was slow, and late rates were not obtainable. Grinding barley was 3d per qr. lower. Maize was easier. Oats were unaltered in Talue. BUTTER.. CARMARTHEN, Saturday. (William Pugh's Report )-A fair supply of cask butter at our market to-day, which sold at 9d to !}id per Ib, Fresh market pound sold at lOd to lOid. CORK, Wednesday.- Firsts, 77s; seconds, lits; thirds, 65s fourths, 49s. Mild.cured firkins- superfine, 80s; fine, 73s; mild, 67s. In market- 1,266 firkins, 324 mild. CHEESE. CARMARTHEN, Saturday.-(William Pugh'sReport) A small supply of new cheese, which sold at about 18s to 20s per cwt. PROVISIONS. MONMOUTH, Saturday.—At our market to-day there was a good attendance, and the supply was large, but trade was very stick. The following were the ruling quotations:—Fresh butter, Is 9d per lb. Hen's eggs, 14 for a Is. Dressed poultry Fowls from 4a 6d to 5s per couple; ducks, 6s per couple. Butchers' meat (prime joints) Beef, from 8d to 9d per lb; wether mutton, from 9d to lOd per lb; and pork from 7d to Sd per lb. Vegetables New potatoes, Is per qr j cabbages Id each green peas, Is 4d per qr; carrots and turnips (new) 2d per bundle; cucumbers, 4d to 8d each. Fruit: Straw- berries, Is 6d per qt; gooseberries, 3d per qt; pine- apples, Is 6d to 2s each; cherries, 8d per lb; bananas, 3d each tomatoes, Is 3d per lb. Fish Wye salmon, Is 5d per lb; mackerel, 4d each turbot, Is per lb; soles, Is 8d per lb; lemon soles, 8d per lb; plaice, Id to 5d per lb; whiting, 6d per lb halibut, 6d to 8d per lb haddock, Id per lb sand dabbs, 4d per lb; kippers, 8 for 6d; cod, Id per doz; red herrings, 8 for 6d shrimps, 6d per qt. HAT AND STRAW. WHITECHAPEL, Saturday.—Clover, prime, 75s to. 92s; inferior, 46s to 75s; best hay, (ios to I'.¡s inferior hay, 26s to 50s; straw, 20s to 38s per load. Short supplies, with dull trade, without quotable change in prices.

The Mayor of Newport, in Monmouthshire, is not as other mayors are. At the opening of the new baths constructed by the Corporation, his worship astonished the natives by plunging into the water '3 and swimming a length. Unfortunately, he did not perform that feat in the civic robes of office, but only in conventional bathing costume. His body guard of policemen, however, dashed in after him, like Horatius Codes, armed to the very helmet. The Postmaster-General has adopted Mr Henniker-Heaton's suggestion that the public should be allowed to post circulars, price lists, anil other documents, not being of the nature of 4 letter, in open envelopes at book-post rate. The- Postmaster-General has also rec,iiiuiendW thl) Treasury to permit any person to provide and{ transmit through the inland post a card bearing a halfpenny adhesive stamp, such card to be the- same sizes as the present postcard. Alexandre Jacques, the French fasting man wbiQ, has challenged Succi, and claims to be able to fast longer than the Italian, commenced on Saturday a fast of 42 days at the Royal Aquarium, Westmin- ster, Jacques is an old french soldier, having fought in the great war of 1870-1. It is said that at the siege of Belfort he proved the value of the secrett powder he possesses by sustaining himself and eight men of bis company on a veJlY, small quantity of the herb for many days.